Apparatus for the storage of weft threads

ABSTRACT

The present invention relates to an apparatus for the storage of a weft thread of specific length in a weaving machine which comprises a rotatable shell wall formed as the generated surface of a truncated cone, and a nozzle for conveying a thread which is to be stored during the weaving process.

United States Patent [191 Keldany Nov. 4, 1975 APPARATUS FOR THE STORAGEOF WEFT THREADS [56] References Cited [75] Inventor: Rachid Keldany,Forch, Zurich, UNITED S A ES NTS Switzerland 3,365,139 1/1968 Wheatleyet al 226/118 Assigneez Ruti Machinery works Ltd. Ruti, 3,799,211 3/1974Klmecky et a1 139/122 Z h, 1 d I Swltzer an Primary Examiner-Henry S.Jaudon 2] Flledi J 1974 Attorney, Agent, or FirmD0nald D. Denton [21]App]. No.: 476,104

[57] ABSTRACT The present invention relates to an apparatus for the [30]Forelgn Apphc atl0n Pmmty Data storage of a weft thread of specificlength in a weaving June 8, 1973 Switzerland 8325/73 machine whichcomprises a rotatable Shell wall formed as the generated surface of atruncated cone, [52] US. Cl; 139/122 R and a nozzle for conveying athread which i to be [51] Int. Cl. D03D 47/36 Stored during/the weavingprocess. [58] Field of Search 139/122 R, 122 H, 127 P;

14 Claims, 3 Drawing Figures i l l US. Patent Nov. 4, 1975 Sheet 1 of33,916,935

US. Patent Nov. 4, 1975 Sheet 2 of 3 3,916,935

Fig. 2

APPARATUS FOR THE STORAGE'OF WEFT THREADS BACKGROUND When weaving withnon-conventional weaving machines, more particularly weaving machineswherein the weft threads are introduced by means of a stream of water orair into the shed, the length of thread required for each shot isprepared in a weft thread storage device. In conventional devices usedfor this purpose, the weft thread length required is stored in the formof a thread loop in a suction tube. A suction tube of this kind has thedisadvantage that owing to its length it is cumbersome and inconvenientas regards the space it requires. It does not fit smoothly into aweaving ma chine.

Instead of storing the weft thread as a loop in a suction tube, it isalso already known to use a flow of air to store a thread of givenlength in a storage container. In this arrangement, the thread is blowninto a circular channel-form chamber. With this apparatus it appearsthat a reliable method of operation cannot easily be achieved withoutgreat outlay.

The closest prior art known to applicant in connection with thisapplication is US. Pat. No. 3,024,814.

SUMMARY The present invention is intended to obviate the aforesaiddisadvantages. The invention is characterized in that a nozzle isdirected towards the inside of a shell wall, and at the place where thebase of the truncated cone is situated, there is arranged an end wallwhich is fixed to the shell wall and comprises in the center an aperturefor the exit of the stored thread.

The present invention has the advantages that the stored thread does notundergo any additional twisting. It is also situated in a closedchamber, in which it is protected. Also, the apparatus takes up verylittle space. When using a storage apparatus with a suction tube,usually a rotating cylinder is used for feeding or dimensioning thequantity of thread to be stored. According to the present invention,this cylinder can be combined with the storage apparatus, which againcontributes to the compactness of the apparatus.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTSFIG. 1 shows a cylindrical arrangement 11 for feeding weft thread andfor measuring-off thread sections of predetermined length. The thread 12is drawn off a supply bobbin 13 and thread sections of measured lengthare stored in storage apparatus 15. From the latter, they pass through acontrollable thread brake 16 to 2 a nozzle 17 by means of which they areintroduced into shed 19 through a jet of fluid which is introducedthrough tube 18. The numeral 20 designates heddles of weaving shafts and21 is the woven material being produced.

The cylindrical arrangement 11 comprises a cylinder 22 about which thethread 12 is conducted in several turns, being drawn off supply bobbin13. Each turn is situated also in a groove of element 23. In this way,each turn is clearly separated from the other turns. The cylinder 22 isconnected securely to driving surface 24. An arrow 25 indicates thedirection in which the cylinder 22 and driving surface 24 rotate.

The storage apparatus 15 comprises a shell wall 30 which is in the formof the generated surface of a truncated cone. Situated at the base ofthe truncated cone is an end wall 31 which is connected securely to theshell wall 30. The end wall 31 forms a driving surface which abuts onthe driving surface 24. Situated at the center of the end wall 31 is anaperture 32 through which the thread 12 can issue. The shell wall 30 andthe end wall 31 can be given a rotary movement by a driving means notshown in the drawing. Also provided is an injector nozzle 33. Thiscomprises a duct 34 through which the thread 12 is guided. As indicatedby arrow 36, air can be blown into a tube 35 which extends about theduct 34. This air carries the thread 12 with it and conveys it out ofthe nozzle 33 and towards the internal side of the shell wall 30. Theduct 34 comprises a rearwardly directed extension 37 into which thethread 12 enters, being conveyed by rotation of the cylinder 22. Theshell wall 30 is preferably provided with air escape apertures 38through which the air delivered by the nozzle 33 can escape. Theapertures 38 can be round or slot-shaped or of any desired shape. Also,the shell wall 30 can be made, for example, of perforated sheet metal.

In the illustrated example of FIG. 1, a cover wall 39 is situated at thetop end of the truncated cone defined by the shell wall 30. This coverwall is stationary and is not connected to the shell wall 30, and thenozzle 33 extends through the cover wall 39 and is secured thereto. 1

In operation, the end wall 31 and the shell wall 30 are rotatedcontinuously by the aforesaid driving means which is not shown. At thesame time air is blown into the tube 35. Since the driving surface 24and the end wall 31 abut on one another, the cylinder 22 is alsorotated. In this operation, thread is continuously drawn from the supplybobbin 13, since the turns lying on the cylinder 22 are carried along bythe cylinder 22. The thread 12 released from the cylinder 22 is drawnby. the injector nozzle 33 into the tube extension 37 and blown from thenozzle 33 towards the internal side of the shell wall 30. The nozzle 33is preferably so directed that the thread 12 is directed towards aregion of small diameter of the internal side of the shell wall 30. As aconsequence of the rotation of the shell wall 30, the thread 12 liesagainst the internal side of the said wall and, as a result, forms weftthread turns lying against thesaid internal side. Owing to the conicalshape of the shell wall 30, the thread 12 slides towards the end wall 31so that the individual turns of the thread 12 do not tangle with oneanother. It is advantageous to make the internalside of the shell wallrelatively smooth and therefore capable of easy sliding, and to give thewall 30 a conical shape to a suitable extent.

As soon as the thread stored within the side wall 30 is of the desiredlength, the weft insertion nozzle 17 is operated and the thread brake 16opens. As a result, the thread stored within the storage apparatus isdrawn from the said apparatus and introduced into the shed 19. For ashort instant, in which it is fully extended, it extends from the frontend of the nozzle 33 directly to the aperture 32 and through theinsertion nozzle 17 into the shed. Owing to the continuous rotation ofthe end wall 31 and therefore of the cylinder 22, more thread 12 iscontinuously fed into the process. With the end of the weft insertioninto the shed 19, the thread brake 16 again closes. Thus, another cycleof storage of weft threads in the storage apparatus 15 begins. At thenext shot into the shed 17, the weft thread newly stored in the storageapparatus 15 is again drawn out through the nozzle 17.

The air passing through the nozzle 33 escapes for the greater partthrough the air escape apertures 38. In this way the thread 12 is forcedagainst the internal side of the shell wall 30, which it also tends tobe forced against, of course, owing to centrifugal or centripetal forcedeveloped during the turning of the shell wall 30.

FIG. 2 shows a further embodiment of the invention. In this embodimentthere is again a thread 12 supplied from a supply bobbin, a cylinderarrangement 11 for determining the length of thread sections, a storageapparatus 15, a thread brake .16 and a nozzle for introducing the weftthread sections into a shed, this nozzle being designated as 17. Thecylinder arrangement 11 again comprises a cylinder 22 which issurrounded by several thread turns, and also a driving surface 24. Thenotched element and the supply bobbin are not shown in FIG. 2. Thestorage apparatus 15 again comprises a shell wall 30 provided with airescape apertures 38 and an end wall 31. Also provided is an injectornozzle 33 which has a duct 34 with an extension 37 for guiding thethread 12. Through the tube 35, air is blown in from the nozzle 33. Theshell wall 30 forms a driving surface 40. The end wall 3l is againprovided with a central aperture 32. The line 41 designates the axis ofrotation of the parts 30 and 31. In FIG. 2 a drive is shown by way ofexample. This can use a toothed wheel 48 which is fixed to the end wall31 and is driven by a toothed belt 49.

The constructional example in FIG. 2 differs from the example shown inFIG. 1 in that the stationary member 42 is provided instead of the coverwall 39. The nozzle 33 is built into this stationary member. The member42 defines with the shell wall 30 and the end wall 31 and intermediatespace 43 which is approximately of the same width overall. Moreparticularly, the wall portion 44 of the member 42 forms with the shellwall 30 an intermediate space of limited width. As a result, owing tothe air flowing from the nozzle 33, an approximately uniform positivepressure is produced over the entire interior 43, so that the threadturns are applied uniformly against the wall 30 over the entire internalside of the said wall. When the weft thread is drawn from the storageapparatus 15 through the nozzle 17, the member 42 serves to guide thethread 12. In this way the thread 12 is drawn away in an orderlyfashion, obviating whipping movements of the thread.

The boundary wall 45 of the member 42 which is adjacent the end wall 31is advantageously conical in shape. The apex 46 of the cone 45 coincideswith the axis of rotation 41 and is situated at a spacing from theaperture 32 of the end wall 31. Advantageously, the

4 member 42 is made of light metal. In this case it is easy to machine,non-rusting and can be provided with a fine and resistant surface.

In a further advantageous constructional form of the apparatus of thisinvention, a driving wheel 50 is used to rotate the driving surface ofend wall 31. As a result, it is possible by means of the driving wheel50 of this kind to provide a plurality of storage apparatus distributedover the periphery of the said wheel, providing the possibility of theselective introduction of different kinds and types of weft thread, forexample, different colors. An apparatus of this kind is illustrated inFIG. 3.

In this figure, the driving wheel 50 is mounted to be rotatable in thebearing 51. It has a conical surface or means 52 over which a pluralityof storage apparatus 15 are arranged. FIG. 3 shows two such apparatus15. But there may be more, for example four or six. Each storageapparatus 15 is associated with a cylindrical arrangement 11 and athread supply 13. The cylinders 22, storage apparatus 15, and threadsupplies 13 are arranged in a similar manner to the constructionalexamples shown in FIG. land FIG. 2. In a similar way a weft thread 12runs-from each storage apparatus 15 through a controllable thread brake16 to a weft thread introduction nozzle (not shown). Between eachstorage apparatus 15 and thread brake 16 there is situated a guideeyelet 53 for each weft thread 12.

Each of the storage apparatus 15 is in continual contact with thedriving wheel 50 and therefore in continuous rotational movement. Thedriving surfaces 24, however, can be selectively brought into contactwith and removed from contact with the running surface 40 of the storageapparatus 15 associated with themin accordance with a programme. Whenthey .are not in contact, they lie against a brake 54 as is shown in theupper storage apparatus in FIG. 3. At any one time only one of thecylinders 22 is in rotation and the others are stationary. The weftthread which is conveyed at this time is introduced into the shed by theinsertion nozzle allocated to it. For this purpose a control arrangementmust ensure that the insertion nozzle, whose thread is conveyed, is inthe prescribed position relatively to the shed for introduction of weftthreads, or is moved into such a position. It is also possible to keepthe cylinder arrangements 11 permanently in contact with the storageapparatus 15 and to couple the said apparatus selectively to the drivingwheel 50 and uncouple them therefrom and brake them. 1

Each of the apparatus 11, 15 can be built on a support and can bedisplaced in the direction of the axes of rotation of the apparatus 11,15, as is shown in the case of the lower apparatus by the arrow 55. Bythis kind of displacement, the speed of rotation of the apparatus 11, 15relatively to the speed of the driving wheel 50 can be modified. In thisway the length of the individual weft threads which come to beintroduced into the shed can be varied.

This disclosure of preferred embodiments and modifications of theinvention is to be interpreted as illustrative of forms the inventionmay take and other modifications will readily occur to those skilled inthe art. The invention is not to be restricted except by the scope ofthe appended claims wherein the novel features desired to be protectedby Letters Patent are set forth.

What is claimed is:

1. Apparatus for the storage of weft thread of variablelength beforeinsertion into a shed of a loom, comprising a shell wall formed as thegenerated surface of a truncated cone, there being arranged at the placewhere the base cross-section of the truncated cone is situated an endwall which is fixed to the shell wall and which defines centrally anaperture for the exit of the stored thread, a thread feeding nozzleproducing an air stream for feeding the thread to be stored, said shellwall being rotatable and provided with a plurality of apertures, saidnozzle being directed toward the inner side of the shell wall to conveythe weft thread toward the inner side of said shell wall to cause it torest thereon.

2. Apparatus according to claim 1 in which said nozzle is directedtowards a region of relatively small diameter of the shell wall.

3. Apparatus according to claim 1 in which in the top end cross-sectionof the truncated cone there is situated a stationary cover wall to whichthe nozzle is fixed and that the weft thread is fed through this coverwall.

4. Apparatus according to claim 1 in which a thread brake is positionedoutside the centrally defined aperture through which the stored lengthof weft thread is passed after passing through the aperture defined inthe center of the end wall.

5. Apparatus according to claim 1 in which the shell wall is providedwith a plurality of apertures.

6. Apparatus according to claim 5 in which the plurality of apertures isprovided by a shell wall formed from a perforated plate.

7. Apparatus according to claim 1 in which in the interior of the shellwall there is situated a stationary member which forms, with the shellwall and the end wall, an intermediate space of approximately uniformwidth.

8. Apparatus according to claim 7 in which the stationary membercomprises at its side directed towards the end wall a conical boundarysurface, the apex of which is situated on the axis of rotation of thesaid rotating shell wall and at a distance from the aperture provided inthe center of the end wall.

9. Apparatus according to claim 7 in which the nozzle is built into thestationary member.

10. Apparatus according to claim 7 in which the stationary member ismade of light metal.

11. Apparatus according to claim 1 in which along one of the externalcircular boundaries of the shell wall there is provided a circulardriving surface which abuts against a further circular driving surfaceconnected rigidly to a cylinder about which the weft thread is guided inseveral turns, the weft thread being entrained by the cylinder when thelatter rotates.

12. Apparatus according to claim 1 in which a driving wheel is providedwith a driving surface which is rotatable about an axis and over theperiphery of which there are provided a plurality of rotatable shellwalls formed as the generated surface of a truncated cone, each wallwith a nozzle directed towards a region of small diameter of theinternal side of each shell wall, said shell walls being adapted to bedriven by the driving surface, and that a rotatable cylinder forentraining and feeding one weft thread in each case can be corotatedwith each shell wall.

13. Apparatus according to claim 12 in which each cylinder can becoupled selectively each with one of the shell walls for rotationtherewith.

14. Apparatus according to claim 12 in which the driving surface of thedriving wheel is of conical shape and the shell walls can be displacedalong the driving surface to regions thereof which are of differentdiameter.

1. Apparatus for the storage of weft thread of variable length beforeinsertion into a shed of a loom, comprising a shell wall formed as thegenerated surface of a truncated cone, there being arranged at the placewhere the base cross-section of the truncated cone is situated an endwall which is fixed to the shell wall and which defines centrally anaperture for the exit of the stored thread, a thread feeding nozzleproducing an air stream for feeding the thread to be stored, said shellwall being rotatable and provided with a plurality of apertures, saidnozzle being directed toward the inner side of the shell wall to conveythe weft thread toward the inner side of said shell wall to cause it torest thereon.
 2. Apparatus according to claim 1 in which said nozzle isdirected towards a region of relatively small diameter of the shellwall.
 3. Apparatus according to claim 1 in which in the top endcross-section of the truncated cone there is situated a stationary coverwall to which the nozzle is fixed and that the weft thread is fedthrough this cover wall.
 4. Apparatus according to claim 1 in which athread brake is positioned outside the centrally defined aperturethrough which the stored length of weft thread is passed after passingthrough the aperture defined in the center of the end wall.
 5. Apparatusaccording to claim 1 in which the shell wall is provided with aplurality of apertures.
 6. Apparatus according to claim 5 in which theplurality of apertures is provided by a shell wall formed from aperforated plate.
 7. Apparatus according to claim 1 in which in theinterior of the shell wall there is situated a stationary member whichforms, with the shell wall and the end wall, an intermediate space ofapproximately uniform width.
 8. Apparatus according to claim 7 in whichthe stationary member comprises at its side directed towards the endwall a conical boundary surface, the apex of which is situated on theaxis of rotation of the said rotating shell wall and at a distance fromthe aperture provided in the center of the end wall.
 9. Apparatusaccording to claim 7 in which the nozzle is built into the stationarymember.
 10. Apparatus according to claim 7 in which the stationarymember is made of light metal.
 11. Apparatus according to claim 1 inwhich along one of the external circular boundaries of the shell wallthere is provided a circular driving surface which abuts against afurther circular driving surface connected rigidly to a cylinder aboutwhich the weft thread is guided in several turns, the weft thread beingentrained by the cylinder when the latter rotates.
 12. Apparatusaccording to claim 1 in which a driving wheel is provided with a drivingsurface which is rotatable about an axis and over the periphery of whichthere are provided a plurality of rotatable shell walls formed as thegenerated surface of a truncated cone, each wall with a nozzle directedtowards a region of small diameter of the internal side of each shellwall, said shell walls being adapted to be driven by the drivingsurface, and that a rotatable cylinder for entraining and feeding oneweft thread in each case can be co-rotated with each shell wall. 13.Apparatus according to claim 12 in which each cylinder can be coupledselectively each with one of the shell walls for rotation therewith. 14.Apparatus according to claim 12 in which the driving surface of thedriving wheel is of conical shape and the shell walls can be displacedalong the driving surface to regions thereof which are of differentdiameter.